It is definitely time to get the sunscreen out, but with so many chemical and not-so-natural versions on the market it can be very difficult to choose one that is safe.  In the past natural sunscreen product manufacturers used zinc oxide to provide UV protection.  And though it is safe and effective, it leaves behind that ghostly white skin we all wish to avoid.  So the next scientific breakthrough was the use of nanotechnology, the creation of incredibly small particles — measured in nanometers (nm), or one-billionth of a meter. This took care of the white film, but recent evidence shows that these nanoparticles may pose risks to the environment.  Not a great trade-off.

Not to despair, there are some terrific sunscreen products on the market that are safe, effective, free from nanos and leave your skin, well – skin colored.  Vivesana is a new product line that presents major breakthroughs in organic sun care.  The products are free from harmful synthetic ingredients, nanoparticles and even water, providing a stronger sun product.

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Photo credit: yoppy

People seem to be jumping off the soy boat as quickly as they jumped on as more research is revealed on this once thought super food.

We all know of soy’s good attributes; contains significant amounts of essential amino acids, omega-6 fatty acids, may have a protective effect on the brain and cardiovascular system and is a good source of protein.

The flip side of this coin is that soy is also rich in isoflavones, called genistein and daidzein, which are potent phytoestrogens.  Phytoestrogens, sometimes called “dietary estrogens”, are naturally occurring non steroidal plant compounds which can have estrogenic effects on the body.  Because of this, women with breast cancer or a history of the disease should be aware of the risks associated with the use of soy.

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